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REVIEW: CX-5 still your sporty choice for SUV

Ever since its introduction, the Mazda CX-5 has raised the bar when it comes to offering sportiness and fun-to-drive quotient in the hotly contested SUV segment – a class filled with “so so” performing SUVs.

Ever since its introduction, the Mazda CX-5 has raised the bar when it comes to offering sportiness and fun-to-drive quotient in the hotly contested SUV segment – a class filled with “so so” performing SUVs.

In fact, the CX-5 is really the only Japanese SUV that has the capability to go head-to-head with the much more expensive European offerings in terms of handling and overall performance. Most other Japanese and North American SUVs and crossovers, like the Toyota RAV4 (current version), Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape, just can’t match the CX-5’s level of steering feel and suspension tuning.

The Mazda CX-5 was given a redesign in 2017 that included improvements such as new safety features, a more comfortable and quiet ride, and better technology options. Given the sleek, smooth design of the exterior and the impressive steering ability, it’s easy to see why the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is one of the most sought after crossovers in the market today.

What has changed for 2018? Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, improved fuel economy and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are among the minor changes. The Mazda CX-5 was recently awarded the Best Small Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2018. It was also awarded “Top Safety Pick+” status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for the fifth year in a row in 2017.

Design

The interior and the exterior of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 have clearly been given a lot of thought. Mazda’s signature KODO “Soul of Motion” design was used to revitalize the CX-5 with the update in 2017. This includes the redesigned front grille which is now a signature KODO design. The cabin is both comfortable and quiet, with excellent visibility and seat position control. The materials used in the CX-5 do not look or feel cheap, either. The rear seats are flat at the base and do not “hug” the rear passengers as in the bolstered front seats. Cargo space is a little limited, but still stands up to crossover standards.

Technology options are a major standout feature for the 2018 Mazda CX-5. There are USB ports located all over the vehicle. Mazda does not currently offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto at this point, but hopefully this will change in the future.

The seven-inch touchscreen highlights an intuitive infotainment system called Mazda Connec, which features things like predictive text in the navigation system. Current trends in advanced safety features are expressed in the CX-5 through the i-Activesense system, including lane departure warning, blind-spot monitor, adaptive front-lighting (to help see around corners), lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition system, smart city brake support, as well as many others. All Canadian CX-5 models have the option of the i-Activ all-wheel-drive feature, which predicts road conditions using 27 sensors located all over the vehicle. Using this information, the CX-5 will make changes as needed and send power to the necessary areas of the vehicle. Rounding up all of these advanced features is a 10-speaker Bose sound system option to provide an immersive, layered sound within the cabin.

In general, the CX-5 feels more like a European crossover than Japanese, providing comparable features and feel to more expensive vehicles like the Audi Q3/Q5.

Performance

The engine for the CX-5 is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that provides 187 horsepower and 186 foot-pounds of torque. This sole engine choice is paired with a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. The acceleration of this model is more than sufficient but in today’s age of car companies offering high performance models, we would love to see a faster version of the CX-5.

The CX-5 handles like a dream, with sharp and reactive steering ability. This allows drivers to take corners at higher speeds without feeling out of control. The six-speed transmission is a tad slow to jump to the next gear unless you really put on the gas, which helps with day-to-day city driving ease. As previously mentioned, the CX-5 easily outhandles many other SUVs, save perhaps the new Honda CR-V – another benchmark vehicle in this class.

One thing to keep in mind is the suspension that gives the CX-5 excellent handling also serves to give a somewhat firm ride.

Summary

The top competitors for the Mazda CX-5 are the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.  I would say that the Honda CR-V provides more overall refinement, while the RAV4 – despite getting old and ready to be replaced this fall with a new version – delivers more comfort than the CX-5 in comparison. Also, both the CR-V and RAV4 have significantly more cargo space and the CR-V offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 has a starting price of $27,930 for the GX trim and moves up to $37,130 for the GT trim. The 2018 model is a compact crossover that is a well-built, safe and fun-to-drive SUV that offers plenty of advanced features. Competitors definitely have their work cut out
for them.

editor@automotivepress.com